Chapter 10 Part 1
“That’s unexpected.”
“…Indeed.”
I reflexively nodded at Hyle’s quiet words.
Seeing that sight, I could fully understand why people had frozen.
Of all people, the one Abel brought was…
“The Holy Maiden candidate—is he setting up a rival?”
“No one knows the Crown Prince’s twisted intentions. And this time… I’m not sure either.”
By Abel’s side was Hertiana Brissel, the woman everyone still knew as the Holy Maiden candidate.
Hertiana’s dazzling blonde hair cascaded down to her waist, and her water-blue eyes shone like jewels.
Additionally, her snow-white skin and light pink lips were simply lovely.
Truly, she was the very embodiment of a “female protagonist.”
The sky-blue dress with soft blue undertones that she wore was one of the gifts I had given her before.
Hmm, I knew it would suit her well.
In contrast, Abel’s snow-white hair seemed a bit shorter than before.
As far as I know, he doesn’t particularly like cutting his hair… has there been a change in his mindset?
His deep purple pupils were diligently engaging the people gathered around him with kind gazes.
At the same time, his hand escorting Hertiana looked exceedingly affectionate.
“He found the most suitable person for his position.”
I agreed with Hyle’s words.
Though it was an unofficial gathering, the Artine family’s party was the largest scale among private events.
Also, unlike the imperial balls regularly held for everyone to attend, the variety of people one could meet here was quite diverse.
With so much attention focused on it, partner selection couldn’t be taken lightly.
It was obvious that at this moment, other people would think the relationship between Abel and me was terribly wrong.
But I didn’t view this situation as entirely negative.
Of course, considering their previous behavior, the combination of these two people was somewhat unexpected, but…
See? No matter how much the original work has changed, things still roll along the predetermined flow. That’s why those two are together.
That’s what fate is.
Regardless of the inside story, it was a good sign for me.
I only wish Abel would continue to get along well with Hertiana instead of me.
“…Hyle.”
“What’s wrong?”
When I called him with a troubled tone, Hyle slowly lowered his head toward me.
Soon, our oblique gazes met loosely.
I carefully grasped the end of his uniform jacket.
“I think I made eye contact with Lady Brissel.”
I was merely appreciating Hertiana’s dress for a very brief moment. But to make eye contact like this so foolishly!
Fortunately, Hertiana had never seen my eyes when I was “El,” so she wouldn’t recognize me just from this, but it still felt ominous…
“Come to think of it, your friendship with that woman was as ‘El,’ wasn’t it?”
“Yes. Ugh, she’s coming this way.”
Hertiana, who had been moving her lips slightly as if saying something to Abel, was gradually walking in our direction—toward us.
To be more precise, she was looking only at me.
Apparently, that whisper just now seemed to be her telling Abel she would momentarily leave his side.
“Could it be that being acquainted with the Holy Maiden applies to ‘Rosiel’ as well?”
“That’s impossible.”
“Then why…”
Hyle seemed as perplexed by this situation as I was.
He naturally took my hand and gently pushed me slightly behind him.
Being hidden behind someone’s back wasn’t particularly appealing, but since I didn’t want to face Hertiana directly and converse with her even more, I simply followed his guidance.
“Um, hello. I’m delighted to meet you like this… Lady Laté.”
I thought, surely not, but did she really come to speak to me?
Hertiana… as far as I remember, she wasn’t the type with a bold and ambitious personality.
Wondering if there had been some exchange of words between the two, I glanced briefly at Abel, but ironically, he wasn’t paying any attention to us, instead engaging in conversation with children from other families.
“And you are?”
After I remained silent for a while with my attention diverted elsewhere, Hyle spoke first.
“Ah, I haven’t introduced myself. I apologize. This is my first time at such an event… I am Hertiana Brissel of the Brissel Viscount family.”
Hertiana did not introduce herself as the Holy Maiden candidate.
It seemed her previous statement during our conversation that she wasn’t suited to be the Holy Maiden wasn’t a lie.
Normally at parties like this, it’s human nature to try to fit in among people by emphasizing one’s status in any way possible… thinking about it, this introduction seemed rather characteristic of Hertiana.
“Does the Holy Maiden candidate have some business with me?”
Half-emerging from behind Hyle, I deliberately tossed out sharp words.
Even though Hertiana didn’t introduce herself as the Holy Maiden candidate, there wasn’t a single person at this party who didn’t know she was one.
Despite my pointed words, Hertiana was smiling gently as if nothing was amiss.
What’s with that foolish smile? …No, she might actually be a fool.
“I don’t have any particular business… but when our eyes met, my feet moved before I knew it. There’s someone I like whose aura is quite similar to yours, Lady Laté.”
Judging by her words, Hertiana seemed to know more than just my family name. It appears she knows something about me, albeit roughly.
If so, she must naturally know that I’m engaged to Abel?
Yet to approach so unhesitatingly… is she tactless?
…Gasp, or is it a sophisticated scheme? Deliberately speaking to me to provoke me?
Wearing the mask of an innocent female protagonist, but in reality, the blade of revenge of a female lead who lost her male lead… am I watching too many movies?
“I’d love to meet someone with a similar aura to me in Pendium. As you can see, this appearance isn’t common.”
After brazenly uttering words mixed with a bit of self-promotion, I gently smiled and brushed back my hair.
But… why is Hertiana’s face turning red? Even Hyle was somehow turning his head with a stiffened face. Hey, you too?
“Haha, I’d like you to meet them too, but it’s not easy. They’re always busy.”
I didn’t know about other things, but that statement was true. “El”—my actual self—was extremely busy.
Therefore, I had no desire to expend energy on such insubstantial conversation at this moment.
As long as I was treating Hertiana as Rosiel, not El, I couldn’t offer her any kind of kindness.
Our relationship was too distant for me to converse with a friendly face.
…Of course, that was true even when I was in El’s form.
But wasn’t there one question I could ask because I was in “Rosiel’s” form?
The very words that no one could reproach me for, regardless of how tactless they were.
“What kind of relationship does the Holy Maiden candidate have with His Highness the Crown Prince?”
“Rosiel.”
Before my question was even finished, Hyle’s firm voice calling my name flew straight in.
Such a direct question was, of course, impolite.
Since nobles are so adept at speaking in roundabout ways that it’s nauseating, this kind of straightforward speech was easily condemned among them.
It was so bad that they would all gossip in whispers while hiding beneath the shadow they cast, even though they spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear.
In the end, they all knew it—speaking ill of others in such a manner wasn’t becoming behavior for a noble.
At least I was the one doing it, so nobody could say anything… Well, one person—except Hyle. I’ve felt this before, but Hyle really doesn’t seem to be afraid of me at all.
Despite having once been notorious as a great villainess… strangely, whenever I stand before Hyle, all of that feels as insignificant as facing the dark history of my adolescence…
Anyway, even if my question was rude, as long as she accompanied Abel as his partner, she should have been prepared for such questions.
Hertiana trembled her blue pupils lightly for a moment, unable to answer.
Seeing her tremble like a rain-soaked puppy… fortunately or unfortunately, it didn’t seem like she approached with any schemes to do something to me. Well, I didn’t think so in the first place.
The question just now was a cruel trap with no room to retreat.
No matter what answer she gave, Hertiana would definitely be criticized.
